Kashir channel's woes continue

By Shujaat Bukhari

SRINAGAR, JULY 8. The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has withstood the campaign launched by vested interests to get the Kashir channel shifted here and is looking into the ``grave irregularities'' in Srinagar Doordarshan.

The much-hyped channel in the Kashmiri language was set up to counter Pakistani propaganda but has failed to have any impact. With the authorities in Srinagar DD controlling the unlimited allocation of funds, the channel virtually became a money-minting machine. As no criteria is followed in allotting programmes, only those with access to top officials get slots.

This not only resulted in degradation in the quality of programmes but also turned the DD Kendra into a den of corruption, and also had its effect on Radio Kashmir. Srinagar DD earned the dubious distinction of having at least 30 people staying back even after transfer orders were served on them. ``They moved the court in connivance with top officials who chose not to contest the cases,'' an official said.

Ironically, the head of the Kendra himself has moved the court against his transfer; he was supposed to file objection on behalf on DD against himself. Since the deadline lapsed, the transfer order became obsolete; he now continues to call the shots. ``This is the first instance in DD history that an official is supposed to fight the case filed by himself,'' an official said, accusing the top officials in Delhi of being hand in glove with the local officials.

Good sense has since prevailed in Mandi House. Acting on complaints, the Union Ministry has asked the Director, Srinagar Kendra, to furnish the accounts for the Rs. 14.50 crores the Kendra spent on inhouse production in 2000-2001. But the Director avoided the same saying he did not have sufficient staff. However, the fact remains that the Kendra has surplus staff in all sections; an army of casual staff is also employed.

Recently, the Centre decided to shift the channel to Srinagar, reportedly on the advice of the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, and the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Ms. Sushma Swaraj, was to inaugurate it here on June 6. However, intelligence agencies worked overnight to give a ``clear picture'' to the Ministry and said it would lose credibility if the channel was shifted to Srinagar. The move could result in more irregularities, the Ministry was told. This resulted in the programme being cancelled at the last moment.

Though efforts are on to shift the channel, artistes and media professionals resent it. ``The channel has been spoiled with a majority of programmes being beamed through the Srinagar Kendra. Shifting it to this place will mean its end,'' said Mr. Ghulam Ali Majboor, a folk theatre artiste.

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